Last year the library launched an innovative project to promote peer to peer learning around social justice topics. The Student Social Justice eXhibits (SSJX) project involves students selecting and researching a social justice topic of their choosing, and then creating a display using Gleeson Library materials such as books, videos, and journal articles.
Librarian Carol Spector developed the idea of SSJX after a pioneering Urban Affairs graduate student volunteered to create a library display simply to share his research. Carol collaborated with fellow librarians Vicki Rosen and Claire Sharifi to expand this idea, working with students and faculty across multiple disciplines to create 7 student led displays over the last academic year. Displays throughout the year were on topics as varied as gentrification in the Western Addition of San Francisco, human trafficking, and reproductive rights. The displays exceeded all expectations – they were informative, creative, and very well received by library patrons.
Individual students who care deeply about a topic and would like to create a display to educate their peers are welcome to contact Carol. SSJX could also be formally included in a curriculum for a class. Options include the creation of a display as a novel deliverable for either a final research project or a research prospectus, or simply for extra credit. For example, last year a student in Performing Arts & Social Justice created an exhibit as part of her capstone project. Professor Devers jumped on board with the idea and assigned Student Social Justice eXhibits as a group project to her students in Female Biology.
For more information on Student Social Justice eXhibits, please contact librarian Carol Spector at csspector@usfca.edu, (415) 422-2040
